Patricia “Lynn” Robarts of Frostproof passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 53 years old.
She was born July 26, 1969 to Jerry and Linda Walker of Frostproof.
Lynn was a lifelong resident of Frostproof. She never met a stranger and greeted everyone with a smile. She was a loving daughter, mother, nana and friend. Anyone that knew Lynn knows she loved her shoes, her purses, the Florida Gators, and Atlanta Braves. Lynn loved her family, her boys, and her grandchildren with all of her heart.
She is preceded in death by her father Jerry Walker.
Survivors include her mother Linda Walker of Frostproof. Sister Lesia White of Frostproof. Sons Travis Jr. (TJ) and wife Jodie of Avon Park, Dustan and Wife Miranda of Babson Park and five beautiful grandchildren Jemma, Jaclynne, Travis III (Tripp), Bentley, and Skylynn Along with many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Lifelong Friends.
To Honor Lynn’s memory the family invites anyone who loved her to celebrate her life on Sunday, March 26th, at The Elliot Barn 1603 Rhoden Road, Fort Meade, FI 33841 from 2pm – 5pm. They ask attendees to wear bright colors in honor of the bright soul Lynn was.
Flower Arrangements be sent to 217 W 1st Street Frostproof, FL 33843
Local Moving Company Offers Moving, Delivery, Assembly, Loading and Junk Removal Services
By Allison Williams
We all know that sometimes life happens. We make changes throughout life and sometimes that includes a move. Moving can be hard work and stressful. Why stress yourself out when you can get trusted help?
No Stress Moving & Delivery is a local, full-service moving company. They service all of Polk County. On top of moving services, No Stress Moving & Delivery also provides these services:
Delivery & Assembly Services
Let the team not only delivery your new furniture, but they will arrange it for you too.
Loading & Unloading Services
The team will load and unload every box and possession of yours without you having to lay a finger on them. Sit back and relax.
Junk Removal Services
Heard of Spring cleaning? Now is the perfect time to take advantage of this service and start decluttering your home or even your business.
Phillip Vitelli, owner of No Stress Moving & Delivery created the business around three years ago. He has always enjoyed helping others.
“I have been in the furniture business for over 12 years and I enjoy moving furniture, traveling and meeting new people,” Vitelli said.
MOVING
No Stress Moving & Delivery offers both in-state moving and long-distance (out of state moving) services. The trusted team will carefully pack all of your items into their moving trucks and drive them to your new home or business. They strive to ensure your items make it safely to their destination.
What is considered a long-distance move? If you plan to move outside of the state of Florida, this is considered long-distance. Call today to inquire about moving charges. 863-605-8417.
DELIVERY & ASSEMBLY
Looking to have your newly purchased furniture delivered to your home or business? You guessed it. No Stress Moving & Delivery can help. The team will deliver your furniture in Polk Country with efficiency and care. If you have furniture purchased that is not yet assembled, the team can also assemble upon delivery.
*Same-day deliveries available upon request.
LOADING & UNLOADING
Picking up boxes and heavy items can be not only stressful, but also hard on the body. Trust the No Stress Moving & Delivery team to provide these services. They pad and protect your items for you.
*Minimum of two hours for loading & unloading services.
JUNK REMOVAL
Old appliances? Old furniture? Old random items? Now is the perfect time to declutter. As we head into Spring, let No Stress Moving & Delivery handle your cluttered items and haul them away. Then you can truly focus on an easy Spring clean in your home or office.
If you have questions or want to inquire about any of the services No Stress Moving & Delivery provides, call today! 863-605-8417.
A former detention deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested by the PCSO, after an investigation determined he had stolen thousands of dollars by falsely claiming overtime hours that he did not work.
33-year old Bruce West, Jr.was arrested Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Central County Jail in Bartow where he was assigned, after he admitted to the Sheriff’s detective that he had falsified time cards.
The investigation showed that West had falsely claimed overtime hours resulting in a total of $15,357 of unearned money being embezzled by West.
“It’s a major disappointment when someone working in law enforcement runs afoul of the law, but it stings even more when it’s someone within your own work family. He knew better and still betrayed his co-workers, his profession, and the taxpayers of Polk County, and we arrested him.—we intend to not only hold him criminally accountable, but also to recover taxpayers’ money.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Bruce West, Jr. was charged with: Grand Theft Between $10,000 & $20,000 (F3), Obtain Property by Fraud Less than $20,000 (F3), and False Entries to Corporate Books (F3).
West was hired by the PCSO as a detention deputy on August 30, 2021 and was sworn in on October 19, 2021. He resigned upon his arrest, but had he not, his employment would have been terminated.
37-year old Shastri Khan of Lakeland, a detention deputy for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested on DUI charges Tuesday, March 21, 2023, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with: DUI with Property Damage/Personal Injury (M1, 3 counts) and DUI with BAC of 0.15 or Higher (M1).
The arrest is the result of a PCSO investigation of a four-vehicle crash that occurred on December 29, 2022 at around 9:42 pm, on Commonwealth Avenue in Polk City, near the intersection of Oak Avenue. At that time, Khan was cited for Careless Driving and for Open Container of Alcohol in Motor Vehicle pending a medical records subpoena for Khan’s blood. A sample of Khan’s blood from the hospital was submitted for testing. The results of the test were received last week and revealed that Khan’s Blood Alcohol Content was 0.289, over 3.6 times the statutory limit of 0.08.
“These blood alcohol results gave us the information we needed to charge him appropriately, in addition to the original charges. This is just one more reminder that driving while intoxicated leads to disastrous consequences—both for the innocent public, and for the drunk driver. ” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Update Wednesday Morning – From: City of Bartow Police Department
In reference to the shooting that occurred on 3/21/23 at approximately 1544 hours, two (2) subjects have been arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Attempted Homicide.
Tommy Almoza, B/M date of birth 10/29/2001 and Ezekeil Burch, B/M, date of birth 4/1/2004.
Several weapons were also confiscated during the investigation.
Bartow Police Department Press Release
On 3/21/23 at approximately 1544 hours the Bartow Police Department responded to a call of shots being fired in the area of 222 W. Ethelene Ave. in Bartow.
Responding officers made contact with a male subject who had been shot in the arm. That subject was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Crime Scene personnel processed the scene, which included the parking lot and adjacent business. A total of four (4) subjects have been identified as being involved in the shooting.
Charges are forthcoming and the investigation is ongoing.
He served his country, not once, not twice, but eight times. He was deployed four times to Afghanistan and five times to Iraq for a total of nearly 21 years. He would have served longer, but his body had become beaten and worn during his service.
This warrior has received neck surgery, endured paralysis, and suffered broken bones, bullet wounds, and even breast cancer. He was awarded a purple heart. Now he and his family will be able to enjoy a much-needed tranquil lifestyle at their new home, donated by Lennar Homes through Operation Finally Home.
Retired Army Sergeant Major Jose Luis Barreiro, along with his wife and daughter, officially broke ground for their new house, which will be located in Liberty Ridge in Bartow. Their family celebrated the momentous occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Lennar Homes and Operation Finally Home, the two organizations that donated the property and have arranged to construct the house.
“It’s indescribable,” Sgt. Major Barreiro said. “For the first time in a long time, I was completely speechless. It means a lot to us because it will allow us to dedicate more time to each other and our family and catch up on the time we missed since I was deployed. I am looking forward to spending more time with the family and less time having to worry about bills.”
Sgt. Major Barreiro received his new home through Operation Finally Home, a national non-profit organization that provides mortgage-free homes, modifications, and transitional homes to veterans, first responders, and their families.
This property is the third home Operation Finally Homes has provided in the Polk County Community. More than 400 projects are currently underway in 33 states across the country, and it is always an honor to give away another free home in the local community, said Molly Halliday, Operation Finally Home Senior Vice President of Marketing.
“We continue to share our mission across the country and we hope to be able to provide more mortgage-free homes in this area,” she said. “He [Sgt. Major Barreiro] is extremely deserving. He served nearly 20 years…He is a purple heart recipient. He fought and served for his country and his family wants to thank them for his service.”
Reggie Baxter founded Lennar Homes three years ago. His mission was to provide affordable housing, especially to people most deserving of a home such as local veterans. So far, his organization, through Operation Finally Home, has donated three homes to local veterans. In fact, the subdivision this newest home is located in, Liberty Ridge, was named in honor of the military and the people who served and continue to serve in it.
“It is an honor to be a part of something like this,” he said. “It is a way to give back to the local community…After this [house], we will designate another subdivision and do more of this in the future. Just a pleasure. It is a way to give back to the local community and make a living.”
Steve Tiner serves as the co-owner of the Haines City franchise of Ameriprise Financial Advisers and as a member of the Haines City Rotary, which hosts the annual Chili on the Ridge.
So, it was quite surprising for his Ameriprise Financial team to win first place at this year’s chili contest. Winning first place, they won the $1,000 grand prize and a glass trophy.
As for the secret behind their success, Tiner confesses that his team does not have a secret ingredient behind their chili recipe. He simply tossed in whatever item he had available and cooked it.
“We just threw in a bunch of stuff into the pot and it happened to work out this year where it didn’t last year,” he said. “I think the turnout was great. We had a lot of good events. I used most of my chili. That normally doesn’t happen.”
As a Rotary Club member, Tiner appreciates being able to participate each year. He especially loves the overall camaraderie among his fellow vendors.
“It feels great to win. It is a great event. A lot of people came out to support our Rotary Club,” he said. “We like meeting new people. All the camaraderie and fun banter between the teams and the public coming out to have a great time.”
Third place went to Titan AC, which received $250. Second place went to Jared Gordon Ford, which received $500.
Hayden Register, an employee at Jared Gordon Ford, owes their success to his employer who prepared the chili. He added hot dogs, which made it taste like a chili dog.
Their team has been participating for the past four or five years. They keep returning for the overall atmosphere and participation.
It is pretty good. Definitely not what I expected but I am happy with it.
“I like being able to taste the other chilis and having a bit of a good time,” he said.
Chili on the Ridge is hosted by Haines City Rotary as a fundraiser for scholarships. Their scholarships are conferred to local high school students at Haines City, Davenport, and Ridge Community High School.
More than a dozen vendors participated this year, with local businesses and organizations including the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce, AdventHealth, and the Haines City and Davenport Fire Departments.
For more information about upcoming events, visit the Haines City Rotary Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/hainescityrotary
For the third consecutive year, Balmoral Resort Florida brought the Luck of the Irish with its annual Shamrocks and Shenanigans.
The free event invited attendees to dress all in green and celebrate their Irish heritage (or even lack thereof) with food and drink specials and live music and dance performances.
For the traditional Irish holiday, attendees could enjoy traditional Irish music and step dancing, along with several Irish-themed games and shenanigans. The event especially went wild around sundown with the Byrne Brothers performing live.
Chris Mursalski, the new Food and Drinks Director at Balmoral Resort, oversaw the event for the first time this year. He recently started his new position two weeks ago and brings with him 25 years of experience in the food and drink industry.
Mursalski has big plans for upcoming events. He jumped on board with Balmoral Resort due to its commitment to overall service.
“What makes us stand out is our guest services,” he explained. “The team here is spectacular. We are willing to do everything for the guests. And that is what it all comes down to.”
As for Shamrocks and Shenanigans, he appreciated that the event experienced an overall great turnout, and he hopes that future events will experience similar success.
“The event here is getting off to a great start,” he said. “We have a lot of people coming out with musicians, dancers, and everything all Irish. It is amazing to spectacular. I am enjoying that people are coming out.”
For more information about upcoming events at Balmoral Resort Florida, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/balmoralflorida
Downtown Bartow felt the luck of the Irish during its annual St. Patrick’s Day Un-Parade hosted at Bartow First Friday. Several dozen units from floats to golf carts decked themselves with green and shamrocks to celebrate the holiday.
Sweet Magnolias hosted a float with its participants dressed as candy and toys for their candy store-themed unit. King S.L., meanwhile, had all of its participants dressed in green from green clothes to green hair.
These sights were some of the lucky attendees in this year’s UnParade, which kicked off the St. Patrick’s Day-themed event. The remainder of the evening showcased live musical performances, vendors and food trucks, a car and jeep show, and even line and belly dancing in Downtown Bartow.
The reason why the opening festivities are called an “UnParade” is that anyone is invited to participate. So the “UnParade” can have as many as 10 to 100 units, explained Linda Holcomb, Executive Director with Main Street Bartow.
“As far as [the number of] units in the parade, we never know,” she explained. “That’s why we call it the un parade. It’s completely wacky and unorganized. There could be anywhere from 10 units to own up or less. We just never know.”
The overall turnout for both the parade and Downtown Friday Fest proved phenomenal as always, and it more than exceeded expectations, Holcomb said.
“My expectations are that I am hoping that it’s going to be bigger and wackier than ever we just want it to be fun,” she said. “I love this one because it is unorganized it’s just to show up be yourself have fun be wacky dress wacky and have a good time.”
Bartow Friday Fest is hosted on the third Friday of every month in Downtown Bartow. For more information, visit their Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/bartowfridayfest/
Update 1pm Monday from PCSO: this is an update to the search ongoing for Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Marrero on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven:
We continue to search the lake, with four PCSO watercraft and sonar equipment, two FWC watercraft and sonar equipment, and a Seminole County Sheriff’s Office watercraft and their underwater drone. We will not leave this lake until both men are found.
The lake is still closed to the public. All other lakes on the chain are open. However, anyone launching a boat onto Lake Summit will not be allowed through the canal leading into Lake Eloise – boats being launched at Lake Summit will have to remain on Lake Summit until further notice. The other canals leading into Lake Eloise are also blocked.
Update 1:25pm Sunday: At 4:12 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023, the 10-year-old daughter of Jeffrey Marrero from Auburndale called 911 to report that she and her 8-year-old sister were alone on a boat on Lake Eloise. The boat, a 16-foot Tahoe ski boat, had been rented by Marrero’s friends, 38-year-old Velcky Velasquez and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Orlando Ortiz, both of Winter Haven, to celebrate their one-year anniversary of being together.
Central District deputies Glenda Eichholtz and Jonathan Munoz heard the 911 call via the Live 911 system, and self-dispatched to the Lake Summit boat ramp, knowing that there is no public access to Lake Eloise. When they arrived at the boat ramp, they saw a man who was just putting his boat into the water. They asked for his assistance, and he immediately agreed to transport them from Lake Summit and through the canal to the adjacent lake, which is Lake Eloise.
The deputies and Good Samaritan found the boat with the two little girls in it. Deputy Munoz got onto that boat and drove them to the nearby Legoland dock. The deputies then found Ms. Velasquez treading water a distance away from the boat. She told the deputies that she had jumped into the water with the anchor in order to secure the anchor to the boat, but due to the wind and heavy chop to the water, the boat began floating away. The two men jumped into the water to help her. They are not strong swimmers and ended up going underwater.
The PCSO Marine Unit and FWC using side scan sonar, and Seminole County deputies using their underwater drone, will be searching Lake Eloise 24/7 until both men are found. The lake will be closed to the public until they are found.
Update 8am Sunday: to search and recovery investigation on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven:
Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media at 10:30 a.m. this morning at the Lake Summit boat ramp located on West Lake Summit Drive (cross street Cypress Gardens Blvd near Overlook Drive) with an update to the investigation. The missing boaters – two adult males – have not yet been recovered. The FWC and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office are assisting.
This is the 16’ Tahoe ski boat that was rented yesterday by a woman and her boyfriend, along with a friend of theirs and his two children in #WinterHaven.
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Original post
In response to your inquiries, the PCSO Marine Unit, assisted by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is conducting a search and recovery mission on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven regarding two adults who are believed to have drowned. We received calls just before 5:00 p.m. this afternoon (Saturday, March 18, 2023).
We are asking the public to avoid the Lake Summit boat ramp and Lake Summit and Lake Eloise until further notice.
